Sutra 25

Devanagari script

प्रदीपिकोऽग्निना वध्यः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२५ ॥

Transliteration

pradīpiko 'gninā vadhyaḥ

Translation

A person who sets (anything) on fire—an arsonist—is to be put to death by fire.

Word by Word

• pradīpikāḥ: incendiaries / fire-setters
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradīpikā (from √dīp)
• Form: Strīliṅga; prathamā-vibhaktiḥ; bahuvacanam

• agninā: by fire / with fire
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni
• Form: Puṃliṅga; tṛtīyā-vibhaktiḥ; ekavacanam; karaṇa/hetu-artha (instrument/cause)

• vadhyāḥ: are to be put to death / should be executed
• Type: Adjective (predicative)
• Root: √vadh (vadha) / vadhya
• Form: Puṃliṅga (or used generically); prathamā-vibhaktiḥ; bahuvacanam; gerundive/necessitative sense: 'to be killed/liable to execution'

Entities Mentioned

• arsonist/incendiary
• state judiciary

More Details

FAQs

What administrative intent underlies prescribing death by fire for arson?

To create maximum deterrence for a high-externality crime that can destroy dense urban property, granaries, and lives; the punishment mirrors the harm (lex talionis-style proportionality).

Is this framed as a private wrong or a public-order offense?

Primarily public-order: arson threatens collective security and state assets, justifying the severest penalty.